Maddie's Signs of Spring!!

 

The First Day of Spring found PhotoSchmoozer walking down to the lake with a friend.  Just a time to connect and catch our 10 minutes in the sunshine and celebrate Spring - the time of New Beginnings.  We were chatting with the ducks and watching folks fishing, planning our new beginnings and laughing and dreaming. All of a sudden Maddie came over from fishing and showed me her hand ful of worms!!  Oh my did it bring back memories of being a teacher and having to be careful with reactions so the kids would know it was 'ok' to touch and try new things.  I took a deep breath and said, "WOW That's great and what are you going to do with them?"  Phew - luckily she didn't ask me if I wanted to hold them.  She was using them for fishing and was going to take some home to show her mom too!!  Happy Spring and Happy Fishing Maddie!  May this be a time of exciting new beginnings for all of us as we watch the new growth emerging from the ground and the baby birds from the nests!!  We can truly appreciate life and all of its beauty. What a message!!  Love it!!

Meet My Special Gracie!!

Working at home can sometimes feel lonely and disconnected.  Some say it is 'perfect', but for PhotoSchmoozer who likes to out and about and chatting people up, well, something is just not in synch.  On top of that today was totally rainy and dreary - no Vitamin D and lots of transitions and changes in the air.  Sitting here in the office, I looked around at memories and saw Gracie looking at me.  She is totally special.  Jon bought her for me when he first started Wesleyan in 1991!  He even packed her up and sent her to me for my birthday!  I always tell my guys that little things mean a lot to me and Gracie is a perfect example of the love and caring that has always come from our son!!  She helped the day go well by just having her sitting on my lap.  When I go to maryi's farm, her cat Stewie has befriended me and it is the same feeling (though I don't get itchy eyes from Gracie!!)  Stewie jumps right up on my lap and settles in and purrs like crazy.  Not being a cat lover, I wondered, but there is a special connection. Hmmmmm where is my camera when I go to the farm?  Watch for Stewie right here soon.  Until then, postings will be whatever is around in my immediate world.  That is the simplicity of life and it is 'just right'.

Gaze into my Eyes!!

I don't like landscapes, whole exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show or the 'big picture' of the world.  What fascinates me when I really sit still and watch are the little details that put together make the whole complete!!  This year it was no different!  I sent Jon pictures and he wondered where the big

 views of the exhibits were?!?  I went back and looked at more than 200 pictures and there were none!!  I have what I love - the beautiful details and this creature from the New Zealand exhibit and the close up of her eye (I made her female!!) captured my fancy.  I stood gazing for quite awhile and was taken in by the glimmer of the light in the big blue eyes.  Now for those of you who really know me, you will realize that my eyes are my favorite part of me and I love to look at other people's eyes.  I was listening to Doreen Virtue the other night talking about Archangel Michael and it was his eyes that were her most vivid description of him!!  Oh by the way, I always thought my eyes were hazel and changeable, but in the past few years, I have been told how beautiful my BLUE eyes are.  Maybe that is why I connected with this big blue one on the NZ 'insect'.  Who knows??  And then is it really important?  No...I connected and was fascinated and took pictures to share.  That is what matters to PhotoSchmoozer!!

(And this post is one of those mistakes that I don't know how to fix when it happens.  I can't get a clear background?!?!) For that matter, we can't find the little tape recorder in our house either!!  HELP!!

Pesky but Persistent

Yes we could look at this picture and say, "How Cute?!?" Or we could look at this picture and say, "What a pest?"  We could feel sorry for the birds as this persisten little rodent climbs up and eats lots of their food.  Or we could say that there is enough to go around and everyone can be satisfied.  For PhotoSchmoozer, looking out the window and seeing this little critter was a photo op without a doubt!!  I carefully opened the kitchen window to get a clear picture (the sunlight was not in a cooperative position though) and took his picture.  Wonder why I always refer to squirrels as 'he'.  Have to be some of each for the cute little critters to contionue to exist right??  So, when I opened the window, he scurried away - for a very brief minute.  then he was back to the post, up to the feedere and off across the wire to the suet feeder.  Now Bill has put up a metal tube cover on the post and an electronic zapper on the feeder.  Score?  Squirrel 1, Bill 0, but for anyone who knows my husband, he is just as persistent as the squirrel and the score will even up and move forward in his favor. Of this I can be sure!!

NOTE:  As of today, 3.11.10, we thought the score was even BUT alas, the squirrels seems to rather clever and food is their incentive.  They get up there without getting zapped!!  

Patterns in the Snow....

Today I had two choices!!  Be discouraged by yet again more snow and more to come OR go and get the camera and see what I could see.  For awhile, I chose the first choice and it DID NOT FEEL GOOD.  I felt angry right in the gut!  Then I sat still and asked for inspiration...my message that I wrote in my journal...

Be Still...Focus on the Beauty of WHAT IS and

Enjoy the Gifts of Today!! 

So, being the PhotoSchmoozer that I am, I went and got the camera, opened the window and focused on patterns in the snow!  Here is one I am choosing to share.  We have lemons...or lemonade...disturbing snow...or the beauty of nature! 
Your choice!  What will YOU make of it today??

Spring!!!

The picture is NOT current but the story is!  I am EXCITED!!   Well, the snow and ice are still on the ground - maybe for months and the rain has not washed enough away, but just a day ago I SAW MY FIRST ROBIN!!  See I have always said that it does not take much to get me excited and this is yet one more example of those simple JOYS!!!  S/he was standing in the green grass at the edge of the field at Farmer Wally's farm just where the sun had melted a big patch of snow.  Now come to think of it, it was last Thursday and exactly the same day that I had the big red ball of a sunrise in the orange/yellow sky so early in the morning!!  Let's keep February 18, 2010 as a day that will be remembered as special for the little blessing that came my way.  Be sure to stop and look to see the gifts of the precious present!!

Winter's Restful Repose

As promised, here is my special treat from the Noyes Museum.  We went to see the Wierd,NJ photo exhibit and that we did.  BUT there was more to see and I, PhotoSchmoozer didn't let snow in the sculpture garden keep me away!  What is a little cold and a lot of snow??  Adventure!!  What attracted me as I looked out the window??  Sculptures of women in restful repose.  I opened the door and kept it propped open so I didn't get locked out and went to visit.  Remember the BE STILL part I always write about.  I was out there alone with these silen women and being still was the way to be and NOT an option!  No, I can't tell you who the artist is or if the subject has a name.  It was just there for me and to be enjoyed.  I seem to be attracted to them as I was at Grounds for Sculpture as well.  I just wanted to share my new friend with you.

Snowbound!!

 

We went to the Noyes Museum in Oceanville, NJ for an exhibit of Wierd NJ photography.  That we saw...and crafts...and gilded painting on glass...and a jewelry making class, but what drew our attention was what was happening outside.  There was a sculpture garden where I was able to go out amidst the snow and capture women in repose (X-rated for this blog).  I will share their absolutely peaceful faces another day.  When we were leaving, we walked out in the warm Spring like day.  Here we saw the contradiction of the day and loved the chairs, the fascinating trees and the shadows cast on the snow.  Have you been noticing the shadows of the trees on the snow?  They are enough to give you pause. My advice is to catch them in the early morning when you have that special light so that there is a dance going on.  Never mind that this was taken in the late afternoon- still pretty spectacular.  It so fit with my philosophy of just sitting and being still and watching what was going on around you.  There is an energy in these chairs and I can be sure that the next time we go back, they will be waiting and welcoming in the Spring!

A Very Special Gift and All is Well!!

Tuesday, February 18, I had to leave home before the crack of dawn and it was incredibly dark, like the middle of the night!  I thought what a joyous gift I was to receive since I would be traveling south on the road in Delaware as the sun came up.  As I watched and waited, my thoughts went to the gray and dreary day - a sky full of clouds.  What would I see?  AMAZEMENT!!   At the Canal Bridge, about halfway into the journey, I got to the top and looked to my left!  There on the horizon was the most spectaculat orange/yellow panel of color with a bright red ball - the sun - in the midst!!  I knew it would not be safe to take a picture while driving, so I reached for the camera, turned it on and was ready to pull over once I got to the bottom of the bridge.  Guess what?!?  There was NO red or orange in the sky.  The clouds were thick and gray and I never saw the sunrise!  I knew then that the day would be a good one.  I had received a very special gift and this one is forever in my heart!  Can't be shared with words, but then words can draw pictures and images for you to imagine!  What an experience!!  And the day went well!!~  (PS  This photo is NOT from that experience but illustrates the glory of what I saw!)

Singing Their Hearts Out at the Bus Stop Music Cafe

Meet Allison and Cassandra, each a lively and wonderful singer in her own right.

More to follow!

Two by Two: Happy Valentine's Day!!

Last night while sitting at the Bus Stop Music Cafe in Pitman for the bluegrass jam, I happened to look at the couple sitting at the next table and saw an endearing 'touch' between the two of them.  Then as I looked further, I saw two by two by two - get it?  Two hands and two mugs and two salt/pepper shakers.  I chuckled and it added joy to PhotoSchmoozer's evening!!  It doesn't take a lot to create something that has meaning.  Then I looked around the room and began noticing other people's hands as well.  Themes seem to work for me.  Once I start with something, I seem to notice lots more of the same theme.  It is NOT intentional, but yet seems to just work out that way.  I find it rather playful.  Try it sometime!  You will have a lot of fun seeing patterns of what goes together.  Oh and Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends!!

Here's Looking at YOU!!

This has been sitting in the bathroom for a few years now.  WHY and WHY TODAY??? did I see this face and lips winking and smiling at me?  It proves a point that if we are just still and notice everything around us, there are stories and messages to be found!!  I love it.  OK it also shows me that the heater needs a bit of gentle loving care and dusting!!  Happy Days!!  Off to listen to a bluegrass jam tonight at Bus Stop Music Cafe in beautiful "Uptown Pitman".  

A great way to liven up a snowy eve!!

The dustiing...maybe tomorrow...or not?!?

Strong, Invincible and TIRED!!

 

Strong, invincible and TIRED!  Is it almost Spring??  We are grateful for our energy and for the new 4 wheel drive RAV4!!  No matter, it was a blessing to find a guy with a front end loader to push the snow to the back of the driveway.  Photoschmoozer was happy - WHY??  First of all because I work from home!!  Second that my office has the most beautiful view - my grounding dogwood tree, the yard, shadows and sunsets too.  All I had to do was open my window and sit and be still 'til the photo ops showed themselves to me.  Now we will watch for the teeny buds popping through the snow. Bill has already seen daffodils showing up!! Can Spring be far behind?!? 

                                     NOT AT ALL!!  Keep wishing!!!

Totally Together Time!!

When Rebecca called and asked for Together Talk Time, how could Aunt Martie refuse??  Then as I said, when I found Aunt Rebecca's bed and breakfast, how could we pass up the opportunity.  Never mind that it was snowing as I headed to Goucher College to pick up the girlfriend.  We made it safely to Baltimore, found our way and spent a warm and cozy and special time together!  What made it most special? The time together...the talking...the trust...the caring and the HUGS!!  Of course, we can't forget the foot massages.  Yes, they worked in both directions!
Meet our host Joe - definitely former military - ok I stereotyped him and was right but when he asked if we wanted breakfast at 8 or 9 and then said he would call 5 minutes before to remind us...hmmmmmmmmm.  Aunt Rebecca was away in Utah visiting the grandkids, so Joe took excellent care of us!  Check out the candlelight breakfast and the amazing crepes.  We had to guess what was inside and could get the eggs, but the hominy was a totally pleasant surprise along with the almond syrup and the touch of almonds on the plate.  Oh not to forget the dinner excursion to Paper Moon Diner BUT Rebecca's camera would not turn on and mine was across the snowy parking lot in the car.  We will be back for those photoschmoozer ops!  It was only a 24 hour visit, but we sewed, chatted and ate wisely.  Lots of love and caring and opportunities for more!!